Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger and “Avatar” director James Cameron appeared briefly Wednesday as Animal Kingdom theme park showed off its new Pandora land to hundreds of reporters from around the globe.

Pandora: The World of Avatar opens Saturday at the Walt Disney World.

"At Disney, we have a `how do they do that' standard," Iger said. "I cannot think of a better example of that than what we're standing in front of right now…Pandora is just as great in person as it is on the screen."

He praised the movie for introducing viewers to a stunning new world.

"Today, some years after its release, it still captivates us as we eagerly await the next chapter," he said. "No pressure, Jim."

The original movie came out in 2009. Sequels have been delayed, and the next one is not expected out until 2020.

Feeling immersed in Pandora is a new experience for the actors because the movie sets relied heavily on computer imagery — there were no traditional sets.

Disney’s Pandora will be populated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions travel guides. Disney cast members took two full days of “Passage to Pandora” classes to get into character for their new roles.

“We asked our cast members…`If you’re going to go to a different place out of this universe, what do you want to know, and what do you think you need to know to tell other people that will ultimately use your travel services… to get there?” Disney’s Animal Kingdom vice president D’juan Rivers said. “We wanted to teach people about the flora, the fauna, the language itself.”

Part of the immersive experience of Pandora is its merchandise and food.

Theme parks have increasingly been making buying souvenirs more of an experience than just carrying something up to a cash register.

At Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there’s an adoption ceremony when you buy a pygmy puff. Similarly, Pandora’s Windtraders has a ceremony in which you take a pledge to protect the environment when you buy a $49.99 banshee, with optional perch for $14.99.

You can also make your own $19.99 necklace from an assortment of beads, charms and crystals.

“We do want it to be an experience,” said Steven Miller, Walt Disney World’s merchandise communications manager.

Meanwhile over at Satu’li Canteen, fare includes assortments of proteins, grains, vegetables and sauces.

The food is mostly simple and healthy – a reflection of how the lean, muscular Na’vi would have eaten, said Robert Aams, the executive chef at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

There are 88 ingredients throughout the entire menu – probably about half that in a typical Disney restaurant.

There are also some twists on more typical theme-park fare – cheeseburgers in “pods,” or steamed bao buns.

At Saturday’s opening, Rivers predicts big crowds, though he declined to give numbers.

The 12-acre land is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a theme park that relies more on lions and giraffes than Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Disney thought the “Avatar” franchise fit in because of its messages about the value of nature and transformation through adventure.

The 12-acre land is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a theme park that relies more on lions and giraffes than Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Disney thought the “Avatar” franchise fit in because of its messages about the value of nature and transformation through adventure.

CAPTION

The 12-acre land is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a theme park that relies more on lions and giraffes than Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Disney thought the “Avatar” franchise fit in because of its messages about the value of nature and transformation through adventure.

The 12-acre land is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a theme park that relies more on lions and giraffes than Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Disney thought the “Avatar” franchise fit in because of its messages about the value of nature and transformation through adventure.

CAPTION

Slap on the sunscreen as we dive into Universal's Volcano Bay, and get immersed in Disney's lush new land, Pandora: The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom. On this edition of Orlando Sentinel Snapshot, we experience some of Central Florida's brand-new attractions, and chart our ever-changing theme-park landscape.

Slap on the sunscreen as we dive into Universal's Volcano Bay, and get immersed in Disney's lush new land, Pandora: The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom. On this edition of Orlando Sentinel Snapshot, we experience some of Central Florida's brand-new attractions, and chart our ever-changing theme-park landscape.

CAPTION

Steven Miller, merchandise communications manager, Walt Disney World, discusses part of the reason why Pandora -- The World of Avatar is a good fit for Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Steven Miller, merchandise communications manager, Walt Disney World, discusses part of the reason why Pandora -- The World of Avatar is a good fit for Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Disney details the inspiration for the look and feel of Pandora - The World of Avatar opening at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Disney details the inspiration for the look and feel of Pandora - The World of Avatar opening at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Cast members’ training out of this world

Pandora – The World of Avatar, the new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that’s been in soft opening recently, is set on a moon – and it will be populated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions travel guides.

Given its unique setting, Disney cast members took two full days of classes to get into character for their new roles.

“We asked our cast members … ‘If you’re going to go to a different place out of this universe, what do you want to know, and what do you think you need to know to tell other people that will ultimately use your travel services… to get there?’” said D’juan Rivers, vice president of Animal Kingdom.

“We wanted to teach people about the flora, the fauna, the language itself.”

That lines up with other immersive experiences. Not only is there limited signage, unlike Disney’s other theme-park lands, but the surroundings aren’t quite like any other. That goes for how it looks during the day with floating mountains in focus, or at night when luminescent displays take over the visual dominance in front of parkgoers.

Pandora – The World of Avatar opens to all ticketholders Saturday. It has allowed passholders in for limited amounts of time in recent days.

Scenes from the first look at the new 'Pandora - The World of Avatar' attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Unusual use of Disney's immersion strategy out front

Hundreds of reporters and photographers from around the globe have descended on Pandora -- The World of Avatar to try the rides and food and check out the merchandise.

Some of the actors from the movie are appearing at the theme park today.

"The scale of this really blows me away," said Laz Alonso, who plays Na'vi Tsu'Tey.

Among those celebs: James Cameron, “Avatar” director.

Feeling immersed in Pandora is a new experience for the actors because the movie didn't have a traditional set but was created through computer imagery.

Reporters toured the Windtraders gift shop. Retail has become entertainment, with experiences such as a small ceremony when people purchase a banshee. The creatures from the movie are replicated in robotic items that can sit on your shoulder.

"It's more than just buying merchandise," said Steven Miller, merchandise communications manager for Walt Disney World. "We want it to be that immersive environment."

Part of that means it’s tough to find mouse ears or anything related to classic Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie – though some items have roots in classic gear, emulating mouse ears or Tigger tails.

The preview is three says before the Saturday grand opening to the public, when Animal Kingdom parkgoers will be able to experience Pandora.

Iger: New land meets movie's mark

Iger appeared at Animal Kingdom as the theme park prepares to open its biggest expansion so far.

"Pandora is just as great in person as it is on the screen." He also praised the movie for introducing viewers to a stunning new world.

The original movie came out in 2009. Sequels have been delayed and the next one is not expected out until 2020.

Film’s director: ‘Surreal day for me’

"This is a spectacular, very surreal day for me, he said, recalling how the idea for "Avatar" first came to him in a dream when he was 19 years old. "Literally, a dream has come true all around me," he said.

"Anyone can now visit Pandora in all its majesty."

This is a developing story; check back for updates. Got a news tip? spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240; Twitter @SandraPedicini

Slap on the sunscreen as we dive into Universal's Volcano Bay, and get immersed in Disney's lush new land, Pandora: The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom. On this edition of Orlando Sentinel Snapshot, we experience some of Central Florida's brand-new attractions, and chart our ever-changing theme-park landscape.

Slap on the sunscreen as we dive into Universal's Volcano Bay, and get immersed in Disney's lush new land, Pandora: The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom. On this edition of Orlando Sentinel Snapshot, we experience some of Central Florida's brand-new attractions, and chart our ever-changing theme-park landscape.